Cilia

Monday, September 19, 2011

So the past two posts were written on my comp a few days ago. This is written in real time.

We split or PC into two different training centers. Santa Eulalia and Choclacayo. I am in the St. Eulalia group. We drove for maybe 5 minutes and arrived at the tropical training center. its is rediculously amazing. The person who built it had intended to have a dance hall\hotel with beautiful gardens. The PC is helping him achieve this reality by renting it out.

We drove to the training center and got into a big circle. Then, our host families arrived and we were handed out in a price is right manor. Would Amelia come on down! Then everyone would clap as you stooped low to hug your host parents. I have a host mother and a sister (probably 30 years old or so). They had 6 PC volunteers before me, but they were all girls! So my room had pink curtains and sheets, which they insisted on changing right away.

My house is a 10 minute walk away from the training center, which is very lucky for me because a lot of people have to take a bus in. Santa Eulalia is very pretty: there is a small town square with a glass building inthe center filled with computers. They are free to use by all! it is right by the church and police station.

My house is down the road, directly behind a small cement futball "field". Often people over shoot and the ball lands on our metal roof making a loud BOOM! This causes the two small dogs outside of my room to bark up a storm. But it keeps things exciting in my house! There are about 10 volunteers in my town, all of us within walking distance of eachother. My host moms nephew often stops by the house (my age) and i try to talk in my broken spanish. I actually can understand a good amount of what my mom says, she is great. She keeps saying, let me know if you are hungry, what you like, dont worry about hurting my feelings. She is very straight forward and kind. Pictures to come.

On our first day, it just so happened to be a festival in our church. They carried the cross through the city to the priests compound, where we continued to have a festival. Many very loud fireworks were fired all day. A horn and drum band followed the cross, and after dinner and drinks, there was dancing (and alpacas too!).

It was a lot happening but really great to be a part of. There is less staring that I thought there would be, but i think our town is used to PC volunteers at this point, and it is quite a small town. I am right next to a fast moving river, but the water is pretty low as of now.

I am tired, and have class tomorrow, but once I get faster internet, I will upload some videos!

We arrived to the compound around 1030 pm. By the faint moonlight, I could make out the silhoutte of the mountains, a grey mass shooting up into the dark night sky. Physically exhausted from a whole day of travel, it was hard to believe it was real.

In the morning, I awake to find us completely surounded by mountains and palm trees! My phone was still set on eastern time, so I accidently woke up an hour early, but did not notice the mistake until I was all showered and dressed ready to eat... But it was nice, I had some time to walk around and soak in the reality: I am in Peru!We arived at a religious retreat, which is quite a large area. it has one mess hall, 4 buildings, with beds showers, a pool and lockers, as well as quite a few gazebos. It is built into a hillside, so the view from the dorms is great, with a terraced view of the complex.

We had a long day of "being talked to" as one person put it. This can be quite tiring. Around 5:30, I felt utterly drained. My body is going through a lot of changes, the season, the food, the pollen, the baceria ect. Very tired.For dinner, he had Papas Huancainas, a dish that I tried making at my going away party. They tasted the same! I am very excited to cook (and eat) Peruvian food.

Tomorrow, I will meet my host family for the first time. I hope they like and accept me into their household. I am a little nervous but mostly excited. I am falling asleep as I write this, but wish I could have had internet to talk to those I miss.

Staging: its kinda like going to a family reunion for the first time. You all have something in common, but are very different as well. You hear a bit of yourself in everyones stories, anxieties and aspirations.

We had many icebreakers and discussions about what PC expects from us as ambassadors of the US culture. In one game, we all had to organize ourselves by the number and color of stickers on our backs, without talking. While everyone was gesturing and pointing at colors, I soon discovered that I did not belong anyqhere, I had more stickers than everyone else. I felt isolated and confused about what I should be doing. I turned out to be the guinea pig of the group (which can be dangerous in Peru!)At times, there will be a Peace Corps trainee who feels like they do not fit in with anyone. We are supposed to help out our fellow trainees so that everyone feels welcomed. Just in the past day, I feel that I have made some very great friendships. It was like joining the Evans Scholarship, or Architecture School: I will be with these people through thick and thin, and will love every minute of it.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Well there you have it. I have one week to go, and so much I still want to do.

Friday: Rain Barrel workshop with the 300 block of Carlton. Who said I can’t start the water management before I leave the country?

Saturday: Michigan vs. Notre Dame. Under the lights! But more importantly, I will get to see all of my friends from UofM one last time before I leave.

Sunday: The last supper. With my family that is. The next time we will all be together is in October 2012 for my oldest sister’s wedding! I am so excited for her and Sam. Plus, I will have some more brothers, which is always a plus when you grow up with 4 ladies.

Monday: Meeting with my friend from high school to learn about his work in Kenya. Looking forward to more resources! He has been placing bio-filters in different schools for the past year.

Tuesday- Packing. What would you bring if you were leaving the country for two years?

&amp;amp;lt;a href="http://polldaddy.com/poll/5488084/"&amp;amp;gt;What item would you absolutely need to have if you left the country for two years?&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;Wednesday- Some final goodbyes

Thursday- Flying to DC. We have a day intensive orientation. I can only imagine what we will learn. I will be working with the Federal Government after all!

Friday- Flying to Lima.

In the meantime, I have been trying to cook Peruvian cuisine. Here is what my Lomo Saltado looks like. It was pretty tasty! The Aji Amarillo pepper has a great taste to it.

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Disclaimer: The content of this website are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. government or the Peace Corps.

GETTING IN TOUCH

Email: David.Witte.2030@gmail.com

Skype: Notsowitte

Phone: 51 979 585 414

Address:

David Witte

Casillo Postal 809

Serpost Piura

Peru, South America

Directions for mailing: All packages over 2.2 lbs or with a declared value of $100 will be assessed for duty fees (ie. I will be charged to get my own package), so please keep packages small, inexpensive and they are best sent in padded envelopes.

TIPS FOR SAVE ARRIVAL:

Helps to use RED INK and to throw some religious sayings on it. Really, I hear it helps! Try something like "Que dios te bendiga" (May God bless you), ALL OVER the package.

About Me:

Born in Grand Rapids, MI with 4 sisters, 2 loving parents, and 1 dog named Scruffy.

I caddied for 5 years and was awarded the Chick Evans Schoarship (see Caddyshack). The full-tuition scholarship allowed me to attend the University of Michigan, live in the scholarship house, and perpetuated my desire to see the world.

In 2009, I was awarded a humanitarian-grant and helped improve the living conditions in the "villa misarias" outside of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Inspirational quotes

"My philosophy of life is work - bringing out the secrets of nature and applying them for the happiness of man. I know of no better service to render during the short time we are in this world" - Thomas Edison

"There is nothing magical about change. It is getting up off your ass and caring enough to take the first step to contribute to change on an issue you care about" - Jody Williams

"Forge ahead with your new ideas" ~ proverb

"Daydreams may be pleasant, but accomplishments are more satisfying" ~ proverb

No one can see their reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see. ~ Taoist proverb

Please give me some more to add to the list!

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined. ~ Henry David Thoreau

Go to the people,

Live among them,

Learn from them,

Love them.

Start with what they know.

Build on what they have.

But of the best leaders,

When their task is accomplished,

Their work is done,

The people remark,

"We have done it ourselves"

-Chinese Proverb

"It is important to find out exactly what makes you happy, peaks your interest and quenches your thirst for knowledge. Therefore work will not feel like a chore and success will come naturally." Sepp Holtzer

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” Mark Twain